Hello all. It is another break from domestic football action this weekend and early next week to watch the joke that is international football. No-one cares anymore about this horseshit and the pathetic excuses for teams that play it, barring 3 or 4 proper teams. To add to the hatred I have for this the Holland manager has dropped Nigel De Jong for a dirty challenge. This is the same man who picks Mark Van Bommel as his captain and sent his team out to kick the living shit out of Spain in the World Cup final, hypocrisy anyone?
Saying all this I for one am not going the weekend without having a bet so I'll try and pick out some matches for myself and my followers. Here goes nothing...
Kazakhstan v Belgium, Friday 1700
Last time we saw some international action I predicted Belgium would beat the inventors of doner kebabs and greasy mullets, Turkey, and it almost came true at around 5.5. Kazakhstan are nowhere near as good as Turkey, I hear they have one promising young player coming through, but that's literally it. I'm sure it's not a nice place to go, and they'll put up a fight, but the Belgians should have too much for them. They have some of Europe's most promising young players and this team should be one to watch by the time Euro 2012 is upon us. Hell, I like them just for bringing us Stella! I think they'll be good for a few goals in this and I'll handicap them as match odds of 1.6 aren't great. I'll take them -1.5 at 2.5 at bet365 thank you very much.
Cyprus v Norway, Friday 1900
This isn't exactly a fixture to get the pulse racing, but I think it could be a cracking game. The Cypriots seem to always be involved in high scoring games and a 4-4 draw with Portugal recently is a good example. Norway aren't exactly Total Football, but they have some inventive players and 'Big' John Carew is always a threat. I fancy some goals in this one, I'm going to go over 2.5 goals for this. Best price is a widely available 2.1 and I think that represents decent value.
Moldova v Netherlands, Friday 1915
Now then, regardless of my previous comments on the general dickheadery of their manager I'm confident Holland will smash Moldova. Dropping De Jong isn't really going to damage the Dutch when I can't name a single Moldovan player, 2 defensive midfielders is a bit un-necessary. The Dutch can also boast 2 of the most in-form players in world football in Rafael Van Der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder. Sloppy Chops might be a revolting prick, but he looks like his punt on Van Der Vaart was a good decision. Sneijder was the best player in Europe last year and with these 2 providing the bullets Holland should fill their boots. Victor Chandler have Holland at 1.83 with a -1.5 handicap and I'd happily fancy them to cover that.
Republic of Ireland v Russia, Friday 1945
The Republic of Ireland have never been good to watch whilst I've been alive and that hasn't changed under Il Trap. They are built not to concede and to try and nick a goal from Robbie Keane or a set-piece. This has been improved of late by the improvement in Aidan McGeady and Kevin Doyle. These 2 players have been doing well of late for Spartak Moscow and Wolves respectively and should go into this match full of confidence. Russia are a team in transition. They failed to qualify for the World Cup and barring Andrei Arshavin lack any real stars. They have never travelled well and that reason alone is enough to get me interested in quotes of 2.7 on Ireland to win. Betfair is the place to be for that price and it's a good bet I think.
Austria v Azerbaijan, Friday 1930
This is a gut feeling bet on my part, but with some decent reasoning behind it. Austrian teams are doing better and better in Europe and the national team has some promising youngsters and a genuine class striker in Marc Janko. Azerbaijan are shit. Utter, utter shit. If you think teams like Luxembourg are bad, well this lot are worse, second worst only because of the presence of San Marino. Playing at home and with the added fillip that brings I think Austria can grab a minimum of 2 goals against this lot. And they really shouldn't concede to a shambles like this. There are quotes of 1.85 available on Austria to cover a -1.5 goal handicap and I'll put some coin on that outcome.
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